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Eastern Jackson County, MO —
Republican incumbent Mike Cierpiot of Lee’s Summit and Democratic challenger Shere Alam of Kansas City are running in the 30th District of the Missouri House of Representatives.
House districts were redrawn after the 2010 census. The 30th is basically a rectangle running along Interstate 470, taking in the part of Independence south and east of 35th Street and Lee’s Summit Road, a slice of western Blue Springs, Lakewood, Unity Village and Lee’s Summit as far south as Tudor Road. (Alam does not live in the district. Because of the state’s delay in drawing new district lines, candidates in this election are allowed to run in any House district and would be compelled to move into the district if they win.) Terms in the House are for two years.
1. Overall, do you agree with the direction of state policies on K-12 education, including current funding levels?
Cierpiot: I don’t know if I would say I agree with the funding on K-12. However the reality of the budget is undeniable and we can’t change it without a change in the overall economy. As far as the direction, one area I am concerned about is improving our neighbor to the west, the Kansas City School District. Under present law the “collar” districts could be dramatically and badly impacted by their unaccreditation. I am committed to working to help Kansas City and protect the suburban districts.
Alam: Funding for K-12 needs to be increasing. Current policies need to be readdressed and reformed, specially in the area of math and science, as well as I will suggest legislation for teachers salaries to be starting at $50,000. The so-called No Child Left Behind Act needs to be re-vitalized.
2. What steps should the state take to address its long-term transportation needs, specifically rebuilding and upgrading Interstate 70?
Cierpiot: In my opinion we can’t just fix I-70. Doing so would be very difficult and afterwards the average constituent might believe the Missouri Department of Transportation’s problems are over. MoDOT would still have long-term budget issues. Sometime in the not-too-distant future we need to deal with road funding in a comprehensive way. The connection between gasoline taxes and roads is breaking down. That trend will only grow in the future. (Compressed natural gas) and battery cars need to be in the mix to fund roads.
Alam: Communication, both physical and electronic, including transportation, is the key factor of the state. I-70’s role is huge in Missouri, connecting many states and being the gateway of our transportation. I support all the necessary legislation to improve and re-install I-70.
Republican incumbent Mike Cierpiot of Lee’s Summit and Democratic challenger Shere Alam of Kansas City are running in the 30th District of the Missouri House of Representatives.
House districts were redrawn after the 2010 census. The 30th is basically a rectangle running along Interstate 470, taking in the part of Independence south and east of 35th Street and Lee’s Summit Road, a slice of western Blue Springs, Lakewood, Unity Village and Lee’s Summit as far south as Tudor Road. (Alam does not live in the district. Because of the state’s delay in drawing new district lines, candidates in this election are allowed to run in any House district and would be compelled to move into the district if they win.) Terms in the House are for two years.
1. Overall, do you agree with the direction of state policies on K-12 education, including current funding levels?
Cierpiot: I don’t know if I would say I agree with the funding on K-12. However the reality of the budget is undeniable and we can’t change it without a change in the overall economy. As far as the direction, one area I am concerned about is improving our neighbor to the west, the Kansas City School District. Under present law the “collar” districts could be dramatically and badly impacted by their unaccreditation. I am committed to working to help Kansas City and protect the suburban districts.
Alam: Funding for K-12 needs to be increasing. Current policies need to be readdressed and reformed, specially in the area of math and science, as well as I will suggest legislation for teachers salaries to be starting at $50,000. The so-called No Child Left Behind Act needs to be re-vitalized.
2. What steps should the state take to address its long-term transportation needs, specifically rebuilding and upgrading Interstate 70?
Cierpiot: In my opinion we can’t just fix I-70. Doing so would be very difficult and afterwards the average constituent might believe the Missouri Department of Transportation’s problems are over. MoDOT would still have long-term budget issues. Sometime in the not-too-distant future we need to deal with road funding in a comprehensive way. The connection between gasoline taxes and roads is breaking down. That trend will only grow in the future. (Compressed natural gas) and battery cars need to be in the mix to fund roads.
Alam: Communication, both physical and electronic, including transportation, is the key factor of the state. I-70’s role is huge in Missouri, connecting many states and being the gateway of our transportation. I support all the necessary legislation to improve and re-install I-70.
3. Do you favor significant changes to state budget and tax policies, such as curtailing or ending some state tax credits?
Cierpiot: This year we have a chance to make some real changes in our tax-credit policies. Most need to be evaluated based on the return on investment and some on social value. My hope is this will be the year we do that.
Alam: I support a balanced budget. But I do not support ending state tax credits.
4. If elected, what are your specific goals for the next two years?
Cierpiot: I am running for assistant floor leader. If successful, my plans are to help House leadership pass our agenda to help grow jobs in Missouri. Here in western Missouri, we are facing an ever-growing threat from Kansas. We must find a way to compete without gutting the state’s coffers.
Alam: My plan for next two years (if elected):
- Propose new legislation to increase better education policy, including increasing both funding and educators’ salaries.
- Promote some government program that will help small business and create new jobs.
- Provide special support to farmers and encourage them (in) producing biofuels and moving toward green technologies.
- Pass new legislation to provide Internet access to Missouri’s parks and recreation areas. Help the state to be becoming Digitalized Missouri and promote legislation for accessible information through digital communication.
- Senior citizen care and affordable senior homes.
- I would love to work on immigration reform as well as revitalize the both immigrant- and minority-owned business through some government programs.
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Work with the bipartisan agenda and help Missouri Moving Forward.
